Means for preventing overload on self-propelled vehicles.



W. D. OSTERHOUDT. MEANS FOR PREVENTING OVERLOAD 0N SELF PROPELLEDVEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1912.

1, 1 22,797. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. D. OSTERHOUDTI MEANS FOR PREVENTING OVERLOAD 0N SELF PROPELLEDVEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1912. 1, 1 22,797. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

. WMQE; w M

n00, nfoz W. D. OSTERHOUDT. MEANS FOR PREVENTING OVERLOAD 0N SELFPROPELLED VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 191-2,

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 sHEETs-sHi1ET s.

W. D. OSTERHOUDT'. MEANS FOR PREVENTING OVERLOAD 0N SELF PROPELLEDVEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1912.

1, 122,797. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

" i wan sraans PATENT onion WILLIAM B. OSTERHOUDT, F POU'GHKEEPSIE, NEWYQBK, ASSIGNOR, OF Ohm-HALF To EVERETT v. WATSON,

OF FISHKILL-ON-THE-HUDSQN, NEW YORK.

'MEANS;FOR PREVENTING OVERLOAD ON SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. OSTER- 'HQUDT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Poughkeepsie, county of Dutchess, State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful j Improvements in Means forPreventing Overload on Self Propelled Vehicles,

vehicles and the objects of .to devise means for In accordance with thisinvention, means are prov1ded for automatlcally preventing the operationof the vehicle when the body and springs are loaded beyond a predeter- 0mined limit. lVhen the vehicle is so overloaded, it cannot be started,and the invention also includes devices which are automatically broughtinto operation by flexure of the springs to a predetermined degree, asin passing over rough roads, so that the source of power is at leastmomentarily .thrown out of operative relation with the driving gearing,thus checking the vehicle.

' ings, in which- The invention is illustrated in its preferred forms inthe accompanying draw- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle .partlybroken away, with the invention applied thereto, the front and rearwheels, the springs and the side frame on the side at which the observeris looking being removed; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of theadjusting means shown in Fig; 1; Fig.

3 is a side elevation of a vehicle similar to Fig. 1, showing amodification of the invention; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of theadjusting means shown in Fig.3; Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of thevehicle shown in Fig.

3 1; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail rear elevation side view of amodification; Fig. 13

of the adjusting means shown in Figs. 1

and 5; -Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are side elevations similar. to Fig. 1, ofvehicles embodying .modifications of the invention; Fig. 10 is a similarside elevation of a vehicle embodying-another modification; Fig. 11 is atop plan view of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a similar is a top view of Fig. 12;Fig. 14 is a similar side viewof a modification; Fig. 15 is a top planSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914i.

7 Application filed May 10, 1912. Serial No. 696,401.

view of Fig. 14-; and Figs. 16 and 17 are side views of modifications.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly and B the body portion.

The ground wheels are indicated at C mounted on the front and'rear axlesor wheel connecting members D and E.

The invention is particularly applicable to motor trucks, it beingunderstood that a motor truck is illustrated diagrammatically in thedrawings, and for simplicity, only so much of the details of theoperative parts of the engine and propelling or running gear are shownas will serveto illustrate the invention.

In carrying out the invention, any suitable means may be provided forautomatically preventing the operation of the vehicle when the body isoi'erloaded or when the springs are flexed beyond a predetermined limit,as in passing over rough roads. The overload preventing means shouldpreferably be adjustable, so as to act at different predetermined loads,and should preferably be self-restoring, so that when the cause forpreventing the operation of the vehicle is removed, the vehicle may beoperated as usual. I

The controllingt means for preventing overload may be arranged in anydesired location to operate in connection with any suitable part of' thesource of power or power unit, and may be connected to dis engage theclutch, disconnect or short circuit the electric connections, shut offthe supply of fuel, or throw the source of power out of operativerelationship with the running gear in any other desired manner. The

controlling means are preferably interposed between the body and a wheelconnecting member or axle and are adapted to be operated by movement ofthe body relative to said member.

In Fig. 1 suitable operative connections are shown for disconnecting theclutch of the motor when the body of the vehicle is overloaded, and inthis instance F represents the clutch members and G is the foot leverpivoted at H to the body frame A and having its bent end or foot 21connected to one of the clutch members F in the usual manner. A. simpleand ,convep ent dev ce to Figs. 1, 2,5 and 6, A represents the sideframes of a self-propelled vehicle adapted to be operated by themovement of the body of the vehicle relativ to the axles, may consist ofa. toggle acting connection comprising the members J and K pivoted toeach other at L and having their ends pivotally connected respectivelyto the rear axle E and to the body B of the vehicle. A shoe 0 providedwith a lug l. may be secured to the axle E as by means of the ,straps Qand the forked end ll of the toggle member J is pivoted on the lug P. Aplate foot lever G.

A loose adjustable connection in which provision is made for lostmotion, is pro vided between the two portions of the rod V and in Fig. 2this connection-is indicated as a loop or member X of metal similar to aturn buckle, having a socket portion Y at one end threaded to receivethe threaded end Z of one portion of the rod V. The other portion of therod V is pro vided with a loop a loosely engaging the loop or member X,and with the parts in the position shown in Fig. l, a certain amountof'play or lost motion is provided in the adjustable connection. Whenthe vehicle is loaded, tending to depress the body toward the axles andflex the springs, the toggle acting joint J-K will tend to close anddraw one portion of the rodV longitudinally. The adjustable connection Xis so adjusted that at a predetermined load on the vehicle, the pull onthorod V will be transmitted from the toggle point J-K to the foot leverG, thus disengaging the clutch members F and disengaging the motivepower from the running gear. The vehicle therefore cannot be starteduntil the load is lightened to a degree which will permit the clutchmembers F to engage.

Marks or other indications b, c, (5 may be provided on or in connectionwith the adjustable connection X to indicate the relative amount of lostmotion which must be taken up in the longitudinal member V by thedepression of the body due to the load before the overload .preventerwill operate to disengage the clutch members, and these marks orindications Z), e, (Z may indicate tons. The adjustment is effected bythe position of the screw threaded socket Y on the screw threaded end Zof the rod V. The socket Y is preferably provided with an aperture eadapted to register with apertures f in the rod V and a pin 9 may beinserted through the registering apertures tb adjusting device will beindicated. by the breaking or removal of the seal. The pin It: holdingthe member V to the foot lever G may also be provided with the Wire seal0 and if desired, the other pivotal connections of the longitudinal rodand toggle acting devicemay also be sealed in a like-manner to preventtampering.

The device so far described, operates, not only to prevent the operationof the vehicle on overload on the body, but also'op-- crates to at leastmomentarily disengage the clutch members F in case the vehicle ispassing over rough places in a road, so that the vehicle cannot bedriven at high speed over rough places, but callynotified that he shouldslow down.

in Figs. 3 and d a device substantially like that shown in Fig. 1 isillustrated, in which the toggle acting members J and K are reversed anda compression member p connects the toggle to the foot lever G, insteadof using a tension member V as shown. in Fig.1. The adjusting device,Fig. 4:, comprises a socket member 9 having a socket r at one end inwhich one portion of the rod 32 engages. The other end of the socketmember 9 is internally threaded at s to receive the threaded end t ofthe remaining portion of the rod g0, thereby permitting adjustment andprovidin for 19stmotion between the parts. The e ect of overload or thefiexure of the springs beyond a predeterthe driver is automati minedamount transmits motion through the compressionmember p to the footlever G, thus disengaging the-clutch members F as inthe constructionillustrated in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 7, a modification of the device is shown, in which a pull istransmitted to the foot lever G an means in addition to the adjustabledevice X are provided for adjusting the point at which the toggle actingdevice is operated. in this modification cylinder u is suitably strappedto the rear axle E and a tubular member 7; operates in said cylinder.The toggle men1- ber J is pivotally connected to the cylinder 11 and thetoggle member K is pivotall connected to' the movable member '2). gshort rod or pin w is suitably connected onderneath the body B of thevehicle and enters the member a. A stop m'is adjustably pinned to therod '20 as by means of a pin or bolt y adapted to engage differentapertures in the rod to. In the operation of the device shown in Fig.ment of the body Carri es the stop. :0 tab at the gagement with themember v, thus forcing said member within the cylinder at and tending toclose the toggle JK. A pull is thus transmitted through the tensionmemher or rod V to the foot lever G and the clutch members F areseparated.

In Fig. 8 a modification of the device is shown, in which means areprovided for disconnecting the electric connections for the magneto uponoverload on the body. In this modification the electric wires 2 and 3which represent a portion of the electric cir cuit of the motor truckare connected to the contact 4 and the pivoted switch member 5respectively. A bell crank lever 6 is pivoted on the frame of thevehicle and a retracting spring is connected to the switch member 5. Acord, chain or other suitable connection 8 is connected to the knuckleof the toggle joint J-K and also connected by means of a'cushioningspring 9 to the bell crank lever 6. Any suitable device 10 showndiagrammatically may be provided in the cord. or chains 8 for adjustingthe tension of said chain or for adjusting the point at which the pullwill be transmitted from the toggle acting device to the bell cranklever 6. The cushioning spring 9 which prevents shock to the apparatusshould preferably be stronger than the retracting spring 7. One end ofthe bell crank lever 6 is arranged adjacent the pivoted switch arm 5 andwhen the tension on the cord or chain8 is sufficient to rock the bellcrank lever 6, the pivoted switch arm 5 will be moved out of contactwith the contact 4 and the circuit will be broken, thus preventing thetransmission of power to the running gear.

In Fig. 9 a modification of the device is shown, in which means areprovided for shutting 0d the supply of fuel to the motor upon overloadon the body. In this figure the fuel supply pipe 11 is indicated andprovided with a suitable cook 12. A cord or chain or other suitableconnection 13 connects the toggle J-K over a guide pulley 14: with thecook 12. A cushioning spring 14: is preferably provided in theconnection 13 and a retracting spring 15 is connected to the cock. Asuitable adiusting device 16 is shown diagrammatically and connected inthe connection 13. Obviously the cook 12 will be closed when the tension'on the connection 13 is suiiicie'nt and the cock will be automaticallyopened when the tension is relieved In Figs. 10 and 11 a duplexapparatus is shown in all respects substantially similar to that shownin Fig. 1, except that two.

toggle act ng devices J-K are provided one at each end of the axle andpivotally connected by tension rods V with an equalizer bar 17 slidablvsupported in the brackets 18 underneath the car body. The

equalizer bar 1? is .pivotally connected by the tension member V withthe foot lever G and in this construction the pull on the members V and.V is equalized.

in Figs. -12 and 13 another form of equalizer is shown, in which aspring 19 is provided for holding the tension members V and V.

In Figs. 14 and 15. another duplex modification of the apparatus isshown, in which flexible tension. members 20 are provided connecting thetoggles J-K with the equalizer bar 17. These flexible connections 20,which may be in the form of cords, chains or other suitable connections,pass over the guide pulleys 21. The bar 17 is connected by a connection40 with the footlever G and any suitable adjusting device 22, as forinstance, a device like that shown in detail in Fig. 2, may be providedin the connection 40.

In Figs. 16 and 17, another modification of the invention is shown, inwhich the pull to the foot lever is transmitted from one or more of theshackles on the rear springs. In Fig. 16 the rear shackle 23 o'fone ofthe springs is elongated at 24: and suitably connected by means of thecord, chain or other device 25 with the foot lever G. The

shackle 23 as shown is pivoted at 26 to the lug 27 on the side frame Aand the upper leaf 28 of the spring 29 is pivoted at 30 to said shackle.The shackle 31 at the other end of the spring is pivoted on the lug orbracket 32 on the side frame A and the upper leaf 28 of the spring ispivotedat 33 to said shackle 31. As the weight on the vehicle isincreased, the springs are flexed and the upper end of shackle 23,swings outwardly from the center, thus transmitting a pull through thecord or chain 25 to the foot lever G and disconnecting the clutchmembers F.

In Fig. 17 one end of the cord or chain 25 is connected at 34 to theshackle 35 and the cord first passes over a guide pulley 36 connected tothe end of the shackle 37 and thence forwardlv to the foot lever G, sothat the pull on the cord or chain 25 is compounded when the spring isflexed. Obviouslv the connections shown in Figs. 16 and 17 mav beapplied to both'the rear springs instead of to the springs at one sideonlv of the vehicle. l

1 claim and desire to "obtain by Letters Patent the following:

1. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel connectingmembers. s rings. a body mounted in connection with the springs, a powerunit carried by the vehicle. means for propelling the vehicle from thepower unit. and controlling meansinterposed between the bodv and a wheelconnecting member adaptedto be operated by movement of the body relativeto said member for automatically preventing the operation of the vehiclewhen overloaded.

2. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel connectingmembers', springs,a body mounted in connection with the springs, a powerunit carried by the vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from thepower unit, and controllingmeans interposed between the body and a wheelconnecting member adapted to be operated by movement of the bodyrelative to said member for automatically preventing the operation ofthe vehicle when the body is overloaded.

3. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel connectingmembers, springs, a body mounted in connection with the springs, a powerunit carried by the vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from thepower unit, and controlling means interposed between the body and awheel connecting member adapted to be operated by movement of the bodyrelative to said member for automatically preventing the operation ofthe vehicle when more than a predetermined weight is loaded on the body.

4. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel connectingmembers, springs, a bodymounted in connection with the springs, a powerunit carried by the vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from thepower unit, and controlling means interposed between the body and aWheel connecting member adapted to be operated by movement of the bodyrelative to said member for automatically preventing the operation ofthe vehicle when the springs are subjected to an overload.

5. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel connectingmemhers, springs, a body mounted in connection with the springs, a powerunit carried by the vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from thepower unit, and controlling means interposed between the body and awheel connecting member adapted to be operated.v

by movement of the body relative to said member for automaticallypreventing the operation of the vehicle when the body approaches thewheel connecting members to a predetermined distance.

7. An automobile road vehicle havin ground wheels and axles, springs, abody mounted in connection with the springs, a power unit carried by thevehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from the power unit, means forautomatically preventing the op eration of the vehicle when overloaded,and means for adjusting the overload preventing means to act atdifferent predetermined loads.

8. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and axles, springs, abody mounted in connection. with the springs, a power unit carried bythe vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from the power unit, andadjustable means for automatically preventing the operation of thevehicle when overloads 9. An automobile road vehicle havingground wheelsand wheel connecting members, springs, a body mounted in connection withthe springs, a power unit carried by the vehicle, means for propellingthe vehicle from the power unit, and controlling means interposedbetween the body and a wheel connecting member and connected to be automatically operated by movement of the body relative to the wheelconnecting members, for preventing the operation of the vehicle when thebody is overloaded.

10. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and axles, springs,a body mounted in connection with the springs, a power unit carried bythe vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from the power unit, andadjustable means connectedto be automatically operated by movement ofthe body relative to the axles, for preventing the operation of thevehicle when the body is overloaded.

11. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and axles, springs,a body mounted in connection with the springs, a power unit carried bythe vehicle, means for propelling thevehicle from the power unit, meansconnected to be automatically operated by movement of the body relativeto the axles, for preventing the operation of the vehicle when the bodyis overloaded. and means for setting the overload preventing {means toact at predetermined loads on the iody.

12. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel connectingmem bers, springs, a body mounted in-connection.

with the springs, a power unit carried by the vehicle, means'forpropelhng the vehicle from the power unit and self-restoring contr1lingmeans interposed between the body and a wheel connecting memberadapted to be operated by movement of the body relative to said memberfor automatically preventing the operation of the vehicle when morethan,a predetermined weight is placed on the springs.

13. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel connectingmembers, springs, a body mounted in connection with the springs, a powerunit carried by the vehicle, means for propelling thevehicle from thepower unit, and adjustable selfrestoring controlling means interposedbetween the body and a wheel connecting member adapted to be operated bymove ment of the body relative to said member for automaticallypreventing the operation of the vehicle when more than a predeterminedweight is placed onthe springs.

14. An automobile road vehicle having ground wheels and axles, springs,a body mounted in connection with the springs, a power unit carried bythe vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle from the power unit,

means arranged at each end of the rear axle connected to beautomatically operated by movement of the body relative to the axles,for preventing the operation of the vehicle when overloaded, and meansfor equalizing the strain on said overload preventing means. 15. Anautomobile road vehicle having ground wheels and wheel-connecting members, springs, a body mounted in connection with the springs, a powerunit carried by the vehicle, means for propelling. the vehicle from thepower unit, and controlling means interposed between the body and awheel connecting member adapted to be operated bymovement of th bodyrelative to said member, for automatically throwing the source of powerout of operative relation with the running gear at a predetermined loadon, the springs.

16. An automobile road vehicle having ground Wheels and axles, springs,a body mounted in connection withthe springs, a

power unit carried by the vehicle, means for propelling the vehicle fromthe power unit,-

means for automatipall-y preventing the operation of the vehicle whenoverloaded,

body to and from the axle, and connections operated by said controllingdevice for preventing the operation of' the vehicle when the body isloaded beyond a predetermined.

limit, whereby the body approaches the axlesto an extent which willcause the controlling device to operate the said connec tions controlledby said device.

18, In a motor drivenroad vehicle, the combination with the vehicleframe and axle, of controlling means interposed between said frame andaxle adapted to automatically prevent starting the vehicle, theoperation of said means depending upon the distance between the frameand axle.

19. In a" motor driven road vehicle, the combination with the vehicleframe and axle, of an electrical circuit controllingthe operation of themotor, and means secured to the frame and axle, respectively, adapted tomake and break said circuit, the operation of said means depending uponthe distance between said frame and axle.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

